The community of Bartolomea Nilaya is the youngest of all the communities of Dharwad province. It was opened in response to the need of the missions in Gulbarga Diocese.

Gulbarga is a mission diocese newly constituted on 24th June 2005, covering the districts of Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur and Yadgir. Most Rev. Robert Michael Miranda, the first Bishop of Gulbarga Diocese was constantly requesting the Sisters of Charity to open a house in Gulbarga to carry out Faith formation, Education and Socio-pastoral activities. Seeing the need of the place and of the diocese, the then Superior General Mother Piercarla Mauri consented on 23rd February 2009 to erect a Community in Gulbarga. The Community named “Bartolomea Nilaya” was officially erected and inaugurated by Sr. Irene Fernandes, the then Provincial Superior of Dharwad Province and was blessed by Most Rev. Robert M. Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga on 7th June 2009.

Gulbarga is situated in the northern part of Karnataka State. Hindus and Muslims are the majority. There are a small number of Catholics against 6 million people the entire district is often affected by drought due to irregular and insufficient rainfall and makes the people poorer.

The mission diocese has a couple of small parishes and 25 Mission Centers, 65 mission stations with small Christian communities. The city Parish has only 90 catholic families, most of whom have migrated from other places. There are a large number of Christians who are Methodists, besides other denominations. Efforts have been made for faith formation, Evangelization and Christian Unity thro’ our apostolic services.

Bartolomea Nilaya is a community of four members. Sisters are actively involved in the Faith formation Programmes especially in teaching Catechism on Sundays, Residential Faith formation camps held during holidays, Animation of Holy Childhood Association at Parish and Deanery level and collaborate as Parish and Deanery level commission members.

The diocese seeing the need for education of children has opened St. Mary’s Primary and High School in this backward area. Children irrespective of caste, creed and Christian denomination are admitted here. One of our Sisters helps in the running of the School and see that value based education is imparted to the students.

We run Mea Kindergarten School. Here there are about 200 tiny tots learning and playing We maintain good relationship with parents and people of other Faiths and Christian denominations.

One Sister offers Secretarial services at the Bishop’s office.

Community being polyvalent strives to revive the passionate love of Jesus, the Good Samaritan and share that love in the apostolic services with people who do not yet know Jesus.